More than 90 percent of Britons think homeowners should be able to use force against intruders, according a report by insurers RIAS.
A further one-in-six people said they would personally attack an intruder on their property. Just 33 percent think violence against a burglar can never be justified.
The Daily Express reports that the most common justification for using force against intruders was protecting family members, with 71 percent of respondents believing it was a good reason. Self-defence was the second reason, with 60 percent.
Nearly half, however, said that any reason was good enough to justify attacking someone who was intruding on private property.
The findings come after the government changed the law last year to give greater protection to people who injure burglars on their property. The new regulations say that “disproportionate force” against an intruder may be permissible in certain circumstances, although “grossly disproportionate force” is still never permissible.
In 2011, two burglars were shot and injured after breaking into a farmhouse near Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. The farm owners spent three days in custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, but were finally released without charge after growing public anger.
The burglars were later each jailed for four years.
Peter Cuthbertson of the Centre for Crime Prevention told the Daily Express: “These figures are overwhelming and the police and politicians should take notice.
“The right to self defence is vital. For all the householder knows, the person breaking in could kill their loved ones.
“People should always be prudent about handling threats but it is a warped version of justice when the victim is the one hauled before the courts.”
Jack Hart of the Freedom Association added: “I think that these findings will reflect the feelings of much of the British public.
“It’s very simple. Everyone should have the right to defend their property in a manner they consider appropriate. No one should ever have to fear ending up in court for tackling an intruder in their home.
“Victims of crime should be supported, not criminalised for protecting themselves.”
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